Making the Most of It

Was supposed to meet a group at the quarry for open water practice yesterday.

But instead spent the day working. Literally from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Yes, it was Saturday. Yes, I got cranky. Not only did I miss the swim, but a bike ride and a run too.

And today Scott played in a golf tournament all day, so I couldn't make it to the quarry again. Was ready to chalk the weekend up as a total loss, but before I had a chance to get cranky (and before Scott left), I squeezed in a run.

I was feeling a little sore as I left the house, but as soon as I started running, I felt light and fast and strong, like I could have run all day. Totally unexpected.

Got home and another surprising thing happened: Willa called a friend and arranged a playdate! I dropped her off and got to ride my bike for a blissful two hours and 15 minutes.

It was one of those rides when you just pedal and the bike goes and you feel good and you focus on the road ahead and the trees on either side and the blue sky above. And you feel the air on your skin and the power in your muscles. And each hill that rises in front of you passes swiftly underneath your wheels.

And you add another loop because you feel so good. And one more because you're still flying. And the climb that used to chew you up, now launches you forward over its peak and you pass a dude on that climb, literally fly by him, and you wave and realize you're not hurting, not the least little bit.

And when you finish, you know you could have gone for hours. Except you might have needed a sandwich.

So you go to pick up your daughter and you are handed a margarita and you drink it and find a sandwich and eat it and laugh and talk Kona and cyclocross and mountain bike racing with friends and it's all good.

And you're happy because you didn't let a missed workout day get to you. Because the opportunities are always there, and sometimes the things that aren't planned are the ones that are the most satisfying.

And then you realize you've been blogging in the second person and can't quite figure out how that happened. But you've had two beers (plus the margarita) and think you're just going to let it go because you're too tired to figure out how to edit it.